New (to me) USFA - help identify

[Warhawk]

My son has been wanting an SAA clone, we had decided on a stainless New Vaquero in .357 with a 4 5/8 barrel.  Only there aren't any new Vaqueros out there, anywhere!

So we've been looking at the Beretta Stampede, Cimarrons, and everything else that resembles a SAA.

So I run across one that is the wrong finish, wrong caliber and wrong barrel length. But I bought it anyway, because it's a better gun than anything else I've seen.

The hang tag was marked US Patent Firearms, 45 Colt. That was partially right. It's an all blue USFA 45 Colt with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. it's like new, possibly unfired, but I didn't get a box or any paperwork with it. So I'm not too sure exactly what it is. Maybe someone here can look at the pics and help me figure it out.

Thanks

http://jimnelson1.topcities.com/GUNS/USFA1.jpg

http://jimnelson1.topcities.com/GUNS/USFA2.jpg

http://jimnelson1.topcities.com/GUNS/USFA3.jpg

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Warhawk,
For starters, that's a great looking gun you have there.
You are right, it is not a "Patent" gun.  The early USPFA guns were a mixture of Italian and American made parts.  The transition from import/American to all American made was a gradual one and was not completed until after the company dropped the "Patent" from their name and became, as we know them now, USFA.  The bulk of the USFA guns, of which yours is one, are all Amercian made.
Without digging out my old catalogs, I cannot tell you if the all blue finish was a standard catalog item on the SAA (it is standard on the current flattop, .22 Target model & the new "Cowboy" but not the basic SAA).  From the photographs it appears that your gun is finished in the premium grade "Armory Blue" which would have been a special order option.  It also appears, judging from the grain of the wood, that the walnut grips are of premium grade - another option.
If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that your gun was a special order item.  Again, I'm just guessing here, going only on the appearance of the photographs.  You might want to give USFA a call and see if they can give you a date of manufacture.
CJF 

[Guano]

Now I am not a USFA expert, but there are certain thing on your pistol that are very similar to the many Italian clones I've owned. One being the hammer design of the checkering on it along with the shape, also the basepin head and the front sight both the height and blade thickness. These thing look to me to have Italian style to them.
But as I said I'm not a USFA expert, just my observations.

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[Warhawk]

The finish on this one is a very high polish blue, similar to a Python or old S&W model 27 or 29.

I read someplace that the US Patent FA guns had a P above the serial number. This one does not. In fact I looked it over closely looking for any Italian markings, I don't know exactly what to look for, but I didn't find anything.

Also, I understand the guns with Italian parts had some sort of safety mechanism on the hammer, this one does not.

The sights are a tapered front sight with a V notch rear sight.

The grips are perfectly fitted one peice walnut.

I am planning to contact USFA and see what info they have on this particular gun. The serial number is 22xxx

[RRio]

It's a Pre-War Model with that V-groove rear sight. As the good Captain said, yours is all American made and all American parts, and judging from the serial numbe r(mine is 223XX), made around the time my gun was (2002 OR 2003). Nothing Italian about it.

RRio

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Warhawk,
All of the old "Patent" guns are clearly marked as such right there on the barrel address line.  "U.S.P.F.A. MFG. Co." 
Early on, the company was forced to remove the word "Patent" from their name as a result of a law suit by Colt, Colt's complaint being that they were the original holders of the SAA patents.  At that point U.S.P.F.A. MFG. Co. became U.S.F.A. MFG. Co.
As for the design of the sights, hammer, checkering, etc., they are all period correct for a 1st generation Colt.
To confirm what Rawhide said, I checked the serial number on a special order gun I received from USFA in April of 2003.  Serial number is 222XX.  The gun was ordered in 2002 so Rawhide's estimated dates of manufacture are correct.
CJF

[Warhawk]

I have re-read the chapter on USFA in John Taffin's book, SINGLE ACTION SIXGUNS. I should have gone there first! <G>

I'm waiting until my son gets here in a couple more weeks to shoot it, but I am very impressed with the fit, finish and action smoothness of this revolver. All that remains is to see how it shoots.

I had a little dislexia going on the serial number, its actuall 212xx but I wasn't too far off.

[Warhawk]

Got a reply to my inquiry from USFA today ...

Jim
The gun is full Dome blue, the same finish as our Flattop target model. It was shipped from here in March of 2000 and had Italian parts in it. The ledger makes no mention of walnut grips but these were not always noted and it probably had those fitted from new. Everything else is as you noted, 45 Colt with 5-1/2" barrel.

US Fire Arms Mfg. Co.
100% American Made

PH:860-296-7441
Fax:860-296-7688
445-453 Ledyard St.
Hartford, CT 06114